What should be done with any food that has passed its expiration date?

Discarding food that has passed its expiration date is the appropriate action to ensure food safety. The expiration date indicates the last date that the food is expected to maintain its quality and safety. Consuming food beyond this date may pose health risks, as it can lead to foodborne illnesses due to potential spoilage or contamination.

The rationale behind discarding expired food stems from the fact that the quality and safety of the product can no longer be guaranteed. It is important for food safety management to prioritize consumer health, and keeping expired products can increase the risk of illness for consumers, which could also result in liability for the food establishment.

When considering alternatives, selling expired food at a discounted price could mislead consumers regarding the safety of the product. Cooking expired food does not guarantee safety either, as harmful bacteria may still be present. Refrigerating expired food can often lead to further spoilage rather than prolong its usability.

Thus, the safest practice is to properly discard any food product that has reached or surpassed its expiration date.